Bathing bag for bedridden patients

ABSTRACT

A bag for bathing bedridden patients, in the form of a water-resistant flaccid bag, with a water inlet at its bottom and a water outlet near its top. A water-resistant zipper assembly facilitates opening and closure of the bag. The front section of the bag has a neck collar with a hook and loop closure. The zipper assembly and neck collar define a continuous water-resistant barrier to retain bath water in the bag. A timer device/shut-off valve assembly may be provided, for controlling water flow into the bag. A disposable liner may be inserted into the bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/565,868, filed Apr. 28, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for bathing bedridden patients, and more specifically, to enclosed bags in which to bathe patients without removing them from their beds, while minimizing the risk of spilling, splashing and spraying unsanitary water.

2. Description of the Relevant Art

Many types of available flaccid, water-resistant containers exist, serving a wide variety of uses. Such containers are frequently used to securely hold water. U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,656, for example, discloses a multipurpose carrying case constructed of waterproof flaccid material and having a watertight zipper, an inlet valve and a drain.

Water-resistant containers have also been used for bathing devices. The combined bathtub and traveling bag of U.S. Pat. No. 530,599 comprises a collapsible rectangular frame and a sack of watertight material.

A further bathing-related application for water-resistant containers involves devices for bathing bedridden patients. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,084 discloses an inflatable bathtub for bedridden patients, including a pliable sheet and an inflatable rim member that connect to form a water-impervious container. However, the bathtub of '084, like other open water-resistant containers, lacks the advantages afforded by an enclosure. Specifically, the absence of enclosure means protecting the bath tub of '084, as well as other open bathing containers, greatly increases the risk of spilling, splashing and spraying unsanitary water.

In addition, the bathtub of '084 lacks any timer device or shut-off valve for controlling the flow of water in the event that the patient is unattended. Accordingly, the bath tub of '084 and other patient-bathing devices require omnipresent medical personnel, who, if required to respond to a remote medical emergency, might abandon the patient being bathed, possibly leading to overflow, water damage to furniture and medical equipment, and even the serious injury or a drowning death of the bathing patient. Such situations are highly undesirable and could, depending on the severity of the result of abandoning the patient, have serious legal consequences for the hospital, medical personnel or caregiver involved.

In light of the shortcomings of the above inventions and patents, a device for safely bathing bedridden patients is needed. Moreover, a device that encloses the body of the patient and contains the bathing water is needed that eliminates the risk of spilling, splashing and spraying unsanitary water. Also, a bathing apparatus incorporating a timing device and shut-off valve for controlling the flow of water is needed, in the event that the patient is left unattended.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention for bathing bedridden patients differs from known open water-resistant containers and patient bath tubs by incorporating an enclosure to eliminate the risk of spilling, splashing and spraying unsanitary water. The present invention also includes a timer device/shut-off valve assembly, for controlling water flow, in the event that the patient is left unattended.

The bathing bag of the present invention is a one-piece member, constructed from a flaccid, durable, lightweight and water-resistant material. A water inlet hose operably attaches to a water source, such as a bathroom faucet, and insertably engages an adapter, which in turn connects to the bottom section of the bag. A water outlet hose insertably engages another adapter at the top section of the bag. The water inlet hose conveys a flow of fresh water from the water source to the interior of the bag, through which it flows to wash the patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic action. Water flows from the bottom of the bag towards its top. Then, the used bath water exits the bag into the water outlet hose to ultimately drain into a tub or similar collection reservoir.

The front section of the bag has a slit along the bag's longer axis, with a water-resistant zipper assembly superimposed onto the abutting edges of the slit, to allow the opening and closure of the bag. The front section of the bag further includes a substantially circular opening, proximate to its top section, which is continuous with the slit. A substantially rectangular neck collar integrally attaches to the front rectangular section of the bag at the circumference of the circular opening, and extends upwards therefrom. The neck collar is openable in the front, where a hook and loop fastener (preferably) secures its ends together to stabilize the neck of a bedridden patient, and forms a water-resistant barrier. The zipper assembly and neck collar further define a continuous water-resistant barrier to retain bath water within the bag, thereby eliminating the risk of spilling, splashing and spraying unsanitary water.

The bathing bag of the present invention further incorporates a timer device/shut-off valve assembly for controlling water flow. While engaged in bathing a patient, a nurse, caregiver or the like can pre-set the timer device/shut-off valve for a specific time. Accordingly, water flow into the bag from the inlet water hose is automatically discontinued after the pre-set time has elapsed, to prevent possible overflow, water damage to furniture and medical equipment, and serious injury or death of the bathing patient, if a remote medical emergency requires the nurse, caregiver, etc. to temporarily abandon the bathing patient.

A disposable liner insertably engages the cavity of the bag during use. The disposable liner is substantially dimensioned to fit within the bag, to comfortably accommodate a bedridden patient. Furthermore, the disposable liner defines a substantially circular opening within its bottom surface, to allow water flow from the water inlet hose into the bag. The disposable liner provides a patient-contacting surface, to better preserve the cleanliness of the bag.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an enclosable bathing device for bedridden patients.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bathing bag for bedridden patients that retains bath water within the bag, thereby eliminating the risk of spilling, splashing and spraying unsanitary water.

It is a further object of the invention to prevent possible overflow, water damage to furniture and medical equipment, and serious injury or death of the bathing patient, if a remote medical emergency requires the temporary abandonment of the bathing patient.

Still another object of the invention is to incorporate a disposable patient-contacting liner, to better preserve the relative sterility of the bag.

It is also an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of the bathing bag of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bathing bag of the present invention, partially opened.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bathing bag of the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to FIG. 1, the present invention 10 comprises a bag 12 constructed from a flaccid, durable, lightweight and water-resistant material. Bag 12 includes front and back substantially rectangular members 14, 16 (see FIG. 3), respectively, and an endless circumferential, substantially rectangular wall or member 18 that integrally connects to rectangular members 14,16. Endless circumferential member 18 includes top and bottom sections 20,22, as well as a pair of side sections 24.

Bathing bag 10 further includes a water inlet hose 26. One end of inlet hose 26 operably attaches to a water source, such as a bathroom faucet, and the other end insertably engages an adapter 28. The adapter 28 integrally connects to bottom section 22 at approximately its center, where bottom section 22 defines a substantially circular aperture. At the other end of the bag 10, a water outlet hose 30 insertably engages another adapter 32. Adapter 32 integrally connects to top section 20 at its approximate center, where top section 20 defines a substantially circular aperture. In the case of both adapters 28 and 32, their positions could be anywhere along the bottm and top, respectively, of the bathing bag.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 3, adapter 32 integrally connects to back rectangular member 16 at a point proximate to top section 20, where back rectangular member 16 defines a substantially circular aperture. In either case, water inlet hose 26 conveys a flow of fresh water from the water source, through adapter 28 to the interior of bag 12, as indicated by the inlet arrows of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. The water flows through bag 12, propelled by the continuous incoming jet from water inlet hose 26 at bottom section 22, to wash the patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion. Flowing towards top section 20, the used bath water exits bag 12 via adapter 32, to travel through water outlet hose 30 and ultimately drain into a tub or similar collection reservoir, as indicated by the outlet arrows of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

Front rectangular member 14 has a slit which extends along the longer axis thereof at its substantial center. A water-resistant zipper assembly 34 is attached onto the abutting edges of the slit, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to allow the opening and closure of bathing bag 10. Front rectangular member 14 further includes a substantially circular opening, proximate to top section 20, which is continuous with the slit. A substantially rectangular neck collar 36 is integral with front rectangular member 16 at the circumference of the circular opening and extends upwards therefrom. Neck collar 36 is openable in the front, with a hook and loop fastener 38 securing its ends together to stabilize the neck of a bedridden patient, and to form a water-resistant barrier. FIG. 1 illustrates a bedridden patient 15 enclosed within bag 12, secured therein by zipper assembly 34 and neck collar 36, for bathing while staying in a bed 25. Zipper assembly 34 and neck collar 36 further define a continuous water-resistant barrier to retain bath water within bag 12, thereby eliminating the risk of spilling, splashing and spraying unsanitary water.

Bathing bag 10 further incorporates a timer device/shut-off valve assembly 40, for controlling water flow to bag 12. While using bathing bag 10 to bathe a patient, a nurse, caregiver, or the like can pre-set timer device/shut-off valve 40 for a specific time. Accordingly, water flow into bag 12 from inlet water hose 26 is automatically discontinued after the pre-set time has elapsed, as facilitated by the well-known operation of timer device/shut-off valve assembly 40. The water shut-off afforded by timer device/shut-off valve assembly 40 prevents possible overflow, water damage to furniture and medical equipment, and serious injury or death of the bathing patient, if a remote medical emergency requires the nurse, caregiver, etc. to temporarily abandon the bathing patient.

FIG. 2 illustrates a disposable liner 42, for insertion into the cavity of bag 12 during use. Disposable liner 42 is substantially dimensioned to fit within bag 12, to comfortably accommodate a bedridden patient. Furthermore, disposable liner 42 has a substantially circular opening 44 within its bottom surface, which circumferentially engages the inner surface of adapter 28 to allow water flow from water inlet hose 26 to the interior of bag 12. Disposable liner 42 provides a patient-contacting surface, to better preserve the cleanliness and allow easier cleaning of bag 12.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A bathing bag for bedridden patients comprising: a bag constructed from a flaccid, durable, lightweight and water-resistant material, said bag comprising; front and back substantially rectangular members, said front rectangular member having a slit along the longer axis thereof, and further having a substantially circular opening, said opening communicating with said slit at one end thereof, and; an endless circumferential, substantially rectangular member, said endless circumferential member integrally connecting said front and back rectangular members, thereby forming opposingly disposed, substantially rectangular top and bottom sections and a pair of disposed, substantially rectangular side sections, said top and bottom sections each having apertures therein; first and second adapters, said first adapter engaging said aperture defined by said bottom section, and said second adapter engaging said aperture defined by said top section; a water inlet hose, having an end operably engaging said first adapter, and; a water outlet hose, having an end insertably engaging said second adapter; whereby said inlet hose conveys a fresh water from a water source, through said first adapter to the interior of said bag, permitting the water to wash a bedridden patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion, and thereafter used bath water moves towards said top section to exit said bag via said second adapter to travel through said outlet hose.
 2. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 1, further comprising a water-resistant zipper assembly, said water-resistant zipper assembly mounted onto abutting edges defining said slit, to facilitate opening and watertight closure of said bag.
 3. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 1, further comprising an openable neck collar integrally attached to said front rectangular member at the circumference of said circular opening and extending upwards therefrom, said neck collar having a hook and loop fastener, closing the collar, to stabilize the neck of a bedridden patient, and form a continuous water-resistant barrier with said zipper assembly.
 4. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 1, further comprising a flow adjusting valve for controlling the rate of water flow to said bag.
 5. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 4, wherein said valve for controlling water flow to said bag further includes a timer device having a shut-off valve assembly, said timer device operably engaging said inlet hose to automatically discontinue water flow therefrom into said bag after a pre-set time period has elapsed, whereby possible overflow.
 6. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 1, further comprising a disposable liner inserted into the cavity of said bag, and having a substantially circular opening, said circular opening circumferentially engaging the inner surface of said first adapter to allow water flow from said inlet hose to the interior of said bag, whereby a patient-contacting surface is provided to better preserve the cleanliness of said bag.
 7. A bathing bag for bedridden patients comprising: a bag constructed from a flaccid, durable, lightweight and water-resistant material, said bag comprising; front and back substantially rectangular members, said front rectangular member having a slit along the longer axis thereof, and further having a substantially circular opening, said opening communicating with said slit at one end thereof, and; an endless circumferential, substantially rectangular member, said endless circumferential member integrally connecting said front and back rectangular members, thereby forming opposingly disposed, substantially rectangular top and bottom sections and a pair of disposed, substantially rectangular side sections, said top and bottom sections each having apertures therein; first and second adapters, said first adapter engaging said aperture defined in said back section, and said second adapter engaging said aperture defined by said top section; a water inlet hose, having an end operably engaging said first adapter, and; a water outlet hose, having an end insertably engaging said second adapter; whereby said inlet hose conveys a fresh water from a water source, through said first adapter to the interior of said bag, permitting the water to wash a bedridden patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion, and thereafter used bath water moves towards said top section to exit said bag via said second adapter to travel through said outlet hose.
 8. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 7, wherein said back rectangular member aperture is located at a point proximate to said top section, and said end of said outlet hose insertably engaging said second adapter, whereby said inlet hose conveys a flow of fresh water from the water source, through said first adapter to the interior of said bag, to wash a bedridden patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion and the used bath water flows towards said top section to exit said bag via said second adapter.
 9. A bathing bag for bedridden patients comprising: a bag constructed from a flaccid, water-resistant material, and having a top and a bottom, said bag comprising; front and back members, said front member having a slit along the longer axis thereof, and further having a substantially circular opening, said opening communicating with said slit at one end thereof, and; an endless member integrally connecting said front and back members, thereby forming top and bottom sections and a pair of side sections; a pair of apertures formed in said bag near said bag top and bag bottom, respectively, first and second adapters, said first adapter engaging said bag bottom aperture, and said second adapter engaging said bag top aperture; a water inlet hose, having an end operably engaging said first adapter, and; a water outlet hose, having an end insertably engaging said second adapter; whereby said inlet hose conveys a fresh water from a water source, through said first adapter to the interior of said bag, permitting the water to wash a bedridden patient with a dynamic, therapeutic hydraulic motion, and thereafter used bath water moves towards said top section to exit said bag via said second adapter to travel through said outlet hose.
 10. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 9, wherein said second aperture is defined through said back member, near said bag top.
 11. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 9, wherein said second aperture is defined through said endless member top section.
 12. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 9, wherein said water inlet hose has a water flow valve therein.
 13. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 12, wherein said valve includes a timer shutoff therewithin.
 14. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 9, wherein said slit has a water resistant zipper closure.
 15. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 9, wherein said circular opening further comprises a collar for substantially watertight engagement with a patient's neck.
 16. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 15, wherein said collar further includes a hook and loop fastener.
 17. The bathing bag for bedridden patients according to claim 9, further comprising a disposable liner inserted within the bag. 